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China Visa free transit policy

Hi there, I have availed the visa free transit policy from China several times. I have travelled London to Shanghai, Shanghai to a 3rd destination which is the terms of this policy, and then back to London from 3rd country.

However this time I want to visit china from Hong Kong on an independent ticket. And 2 days later fly Shanghai to London, so UK becomes the 3rd country. I am British passport holder and UK my country of residence. Will this be ok, since only difference is my 3rd country would be my country of residence. It’s the same process but in reverse.

Any one have experience or knowledge of doing this before?

The 24/72/144-hour visa-free transit (VFT) policy in China allows travelers from certain countries, including the UK, to enter specific Chinese cities without a visa for a short period if they are in transit to a third country. The key requirement is that your onward flight must be to a country different from the one you arrived from.

In your case, you are asking whether flying from Hong Kong (which is not part of mainland China for immigration purposes) into Shanghai and then departing to the UK — your country of residence — would be accepted under the VFT policy.

Important points to note:

  • Hong Kong is considered a separate immigration territory. Flights from Hong Kong to Shanghai count as an international arrival into mainland China. This meets the requirement of entering from a foreign territory.
  • The VFT policy technically requires that your onward flight be to a third country different from the country you arrived from. Since you are coming from Hong Kong (not UK) and leaving to the UK, this satisfies the “third country” rule, even if it is your country of residence.
  • Border officials may still check your onward flight ticket and could ask questions about your travel plans, but in practice, British passport holders flying from Hong Kong to Shanghai and onward to the UK have successfully used the VFT policy.

Additional recommendations:

  • Ensure you have a confirmed onward ticket from Shanghai to the UK. Immigration will typically require proof of onward travel within the 24/72/144-hour period.
  • Carry accommodation details in Shanghai for the short stay; it helps if asked.
  • Allow for any potential scrutiny by explaining that Hong Kong is a separate territory from the UK and that your stay in Shanghai is short-term under the VFT scheme.

In summary, traveling from Hong Kong to Shanghai and then onward to the UK generally complies with the VFT requirements, because Hong Kong is treated as a separate entry point. Your status as a UK resident should not prevent you from using the policy, as long as you have valid tickets and meet the transit time limits.

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